Joanne M. Burns

Joanne M. Burns, age 92 of De Pere, passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. She was born on November 1, 1932, in Green Bay to the late James Patrick and Josephine (Dantine) Burns. Joanne attended schools in De Pere and was a high school graduate of St. Joseph Academy, class of 1950. She was a 1954 graduate of St. Norbert College and was in the first class of women admitted to St. Norbert. She was a 1972 graduate of Michigan State University where she earned her PhD. She began her teaching career in the Cudahy Public Schools. From 1956 to 1964, Joanne held various positions at St. Norbert College, including secretary to the president. After furthering her education at Michigan State University, she spent many years teaching and counseling at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan from 1967 to 1999, including as the Director of Career Planning. Joanne was a member of many vocational organizations in Wisconsin and Michigan and earned several awards including being listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and being appointed to the Board of Trustees of St. Norbert College.

Joanne is survived by her nieces and nephews, Kathleen (Elen Bahr) Burns, Bob Burns, Mike (Nora) Burns, Maureen (Peter Beck) Burns, Ann Feller Ballinger, Patti Jo Feller, John (Jane) Feller; special cousin Susan (Jim) Zach, dear extended family, and great nieces and nephews. Several special friends also survive her.

Preceded in death by her parents; brother and sister-in-law, James and Margaret Burns; sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and William Feller; and niece-in-law, Theresa Burns.

Family and friends may visit at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 220 S. Michigan St., De Pere on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 9:30am to 11:00am, with a memorial Mass to follow at 11:00am. Inurnment will take place at Allouez Catholic Cemetery. http://tinyurl.com/JMBurns is the link to view the Mass.

A special thank you to Judy Lindbom, Allison Rutten, and the staff at McCormick Assisted Living, and Unity Hospice.

Donations may be made to your charity of choice in Joanne’s memory.